Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-game suspension for homophobic conduct towards Vinicius Junior during his side’s Champions League game against Real Madrid in February.
The Champions League play-off contest between Benfica and Madrid was halted for 10 minutes when the Brazilian accused Prestianni of racially abusing him while covering his mouth with his shirt moments after he put the visitors in the lead in Lisbon.
Vinicius Junior alerted referee Francois Letexier of the incident, claiming that the 20-year-old had called him a ‘monkey’. His team-mate, Kylian Mbappe, who was in close vicinity of the exchange, corroborated his claim.
Prestianni was handed a provisional one-match ban by UEFA for the reverse fixture.
A UEFA investigation has concluded it has suspended the 20-year-old Argentina international for six games, of which must be carried out in European competitions or with the national team ‘for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic conduct)’.
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni (middle) has been suspended for six games for a homophobic comment towards Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior in February
Vinicius Jr alleged that he had been the subject of homophobic abuse from Prestianni
Three of these matches are subject to ‘a probationary period of two years’ from Friday’s announcement, and includes the one-match provisional suspension already served by Prestianni. UEFA have also requested FIFA to extend the suspension ‘worldwide’.
In the days that followed the incident, Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni told the media that the Benfica midfielder claimed he did not aim a racist slur at Vinicius Jr, but made a homophobic remark instead.
Prestianni later said he was disappointed by UEFA for banning him for a game ‘without proof’.
He told Telefe earlier this month: ‘I have never been racist, and I never will be. What hurt me the most was to be accused of something I never did.
‘It was something I didn’t say, and they punished me without proof.’
It remains to be seen whether Benfica and manager Jose Mourinho will clamp down on Prestianni, who is contracted at the club until 2029.
Mourinho initially suggested that Vinicius Jr may have ‘incited’ the crowd with his celebration, though he didn’t comment on his interaction with Prestianni. He later vowed that if Prestianni was found to have been racist he would be kicked out of the club.
The Portuguese manager said: ‘If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well, then that player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end.
Jose Mourinho insisted that Prestianni’s Benfica career would be ‘over’ if he was found to have racially abused Vinicius Junior
‘I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn’t it?
‘I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it’s over.
‘But I have to put many “ifs” in front of it.’
He did not clarify what might happen in the event that Prestianni is found to have been homophobic.
